Hiker Intro
From Never Backpacking to Springer in Two Months
Up until mid-December 2017 I had never backpacked in my life. This is my story of how I decided, planned, and hit the Appalachian Trail in two months as well...
Horizon of a Thru-Hike: QAF and Prep
Greetings friends, family, old acquaintances, and AT community. If you’re reading this, you’re supporting my thru-hike already, so thanks. Welcome to my blog, the canvas for my musings, insights,
Hey, Ya’ll : What I’ve Been up to, Why I’m Hiking the PCT
Why I hiked the Appalachian Trail: Every thru-hiker gets the question “Why are you hiking the (insert trail name here)?” Perhaps this inquiry is easier for some and more difficult...
Doubts, Sure. But Grateful for This Path
Phew! It's about damn time. One more month to go. One more month until I begin my second thru-hike. One more month until I realize again the true freedom experienced...
“Because It’s There”: My Personal Everest
Every person I come into contact with who hears that I plan on hiking the full Appalachian Trail asks me why I do it. To quote mountaineer George Mallory: “Because...
Faith Is a Step Toward Your Dreams
Thank you for joining me on my adventure of a lifetime. As I prepare to hike the 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine, I hope that every step will not...
Never Stop: Journey In Potential
Well here goes... I leave for the Appalachian Trail on January 28th, 2018 and I have no idea what I’m getting myself into... In 2015 I stumbled on a video by National...
Hip Surgery Behind Him, Thru-Hike Comes Into Focus
I got interested in camping in an unlikely manner. When I graduated high school, I joined the Army for a two-year enlistment. While on maneuvers in West Germany, I began...
To Bring Or Not To Bring: Flip-Flop Preparations
To bring or not to bring... that is the question. Along with flip-flop preparations (but we will get to that shortly). First of all, introductions are in order. My name...
Call Me Smokebeard
I suppose my fascination with backpacking and thru-hiking started in the '80s, when as a Boy Scout I first heard about the Appalachian Trail. The enormity of it, and the...